Sony A6300

My first post for 2018 is all about how I spent the last days of 2017. Exactly the same way I’ve been spending it the last few years, in the same house in Ano Doliana in Arcadia, with the same company doing exactly the same things. Things such as eating lots of amazing food, playing cards for hours and when in need of a break, we go for long walks in the nearby chestnut forest. Unfortunately there was no snow this year, check last year’s post though. Having a routine in your vacation is so comforting and clearly I don’t want to change this recipe at all. But I did change one recipe this year and that’s the season’s cocktail. Last year it was all about Grey Goose Le Fizz, this year it is all about Espresso Martinis. The recipe is quite simple, all you need is 45ml Grey Goose Vodka, 25ml espresso, 15ml coffee liqueur, a pinch of fleur de sel, lots of ice and (VERY) good shaking skills. Serve in a martini glass and garnish with grated chocolate or a few coffee beans. This was the perfect accompaniment to our long card sessions, perfect both before or after dinner. Try it out, if you like coffee you will love it!

Just a week before Christmas I visited Epirus for work, my ongoing travel project with Ouzo MINI. First stop was Ioannina and the next few days were spent exploring the magnificent Zagori village complex. I was lucky enough to test drive the brand new Volkswagen Polo during my trip, I drove a bit over 1500km in total, and I can easily say that this little car has grown and feels much bigger in every aspect. When traveling for work things can get very tiring – it’s work after all – and that’s when you need the amenities that a resort such as Grand Forest Metsovo can provide. Some spa treatments and swimming in indoor heated pools never hurt anyone, right? Especially when it’s snowing outside! Check out some photos from my visit below.

Winter felt too long this year and I couldn’t be any happier to see it go. But this transition from the cold, dark winter to the fresh and bright spring is something you can really enjoy and appreciate only when you are away from the city, in the nature. So when my friend Ilaria asked me to join her for a short business trip to Mykonos I was thrilled. As you already know, if you follow my journeys, Mykonos is my most visited island, I have been many times and at different seasons, from winter to summer. This time though it was unique. The island was so green and lush that it felt like being somewhere else. The locals said it’s because of the heavy rainfalls during the winter. It was quite windy during my stay, so unfortunately no swimming, but perfect for long walks on the beaches and enjoying this beautiful season where one should, the outdoors!

A collaborative project that came together to soothe painful feelings. The transition from the raw feeling of rage caused by the painful loss of a loved one, to the feeling of acceptance of its constant absence and the final redemption. The poem included in the video is written by Niki Chalkiadaki, music and sound design by Dimitris Dimas, performers Orestis Karydas and Katerina Misichroni. Art direction by Orestis Karydas, directed by me. Entire video shot on the Sony A6300 (thanks so much for this fantastic piece of gear Sony Greece). Big thanks to Thodoris Markou for providing us shelter to create this at his studio, Amynta 13.

Just like last year, I am back in the wonderful village of Ano Doliana, in Arkadia, to spend the holiday season with good friends. I guess you can call it luck, but exactly like the previous time, it snowed while I was there. And this village and it’s surrounding area look fantastic in snow. Of course I didn’t miss a chance to get out and take some photos of the beautiful winter landscapes. I had another good reason this time; to test my brand new Canon 5D IV and of course the fantastic Sony A6300. If you are ever in this little village, it’s good to know there are two traditional taverns serving really nice home made food and of course the best lamb chops and round cut pan-fried potatoes. It was great fun making a portrait of one of the owners! Check the photos below.

Somehow Santorini has never lived up to the hype in my book. Perhaps this has something to do with me spending a part of my military service on this island back in 2001. It had been many years since I visited and I can say this island has changed a lot. A lot of development, many hotels and hundreds of houses have been built in areas that didn’t even exist residentially years ago. However, what has remained intact, is the amazing beauty that has made this island what it is today. A photographer’s dream, literally, everywhere you look you can snap an amazing photo. I was lucky enough to stay at Oia Mare Villas for a few days and explore beautiful Oia, one of my favorite regions on the island. It was also a good chance to test out my brand new Sony A6300! Check a selection of photos I made from my October visit in Santorini!